An Easy Way to Advocate for Change? Bring a Friend!
What was the last story that you gushed to a friend about? I’m sure you know as well as we do that the feeling of really connecting with a touching new TV show, movie, or book is best when shared. And when that friend comes back to tell you that they’re equally excited by the story you told them about? The cherry on top.
But talking up the media that matters to you isn’t just a fun way to connect with your friends. It’s a simple but important way that you can fight for diversity. That’s pretty much the whole point of what we do. Narrative Muse is dedicated to spotlighting diverse stories and uplifting underrepresented creators and audiences, and we can always use your help on that mission.
Every voice deserves to be heard, and when you champion those voices, it matters. It’s going to take all of us to challenge industry norms and showcase the demand for diverse content. For the most part, industry execs would rather bet their money on the same stories they’ve been telling for decades than invest in storytelling by underrepresented voices. So it’s up to all of us to force them to take notice. And it’s working.
Societally, we have a long way to go, sure, but years of advocacy have made a difference.
We want to multiply that impact so that screen development and book publishing become ever more inclusive, and the best way to do that is by expanding our community and your passion for diverse stories. That’s why we’re launching our Bring a Friend campaign. Will you help create more advocates by sharing your love for Narrative Muse with friends, family, and colleagues?
There are two easy ways to do so.
1. Forward this newsletter to a friend or family member
2. Suggest they sign up to narrativemuse.com
Thank you so much for your continued support. Together, we can change the narrative and create a world where all stories are valued.
And as always, we have some watching and reading recs for you! Please enjoy these stories about people fighting for positive change in their communities.
In this critically acclaimed drama, Paikea, a young girl and the lone descendant of a Māori chief, wills herself to prove to her grandfather that she can be a leader. After we got over the production’s lo-fi 2000s-ness, we found a searing story of sexism, heartbreaking rejection, and familial expectations. CW: death
https://www.narrativemuse.com/movies-and-tv/whale-rider-2003-48982237
The grocery store that gives this novel its title is located in Chicken Hill — a peaceful community of African American and American Jewish people living in Pennsylvania. The plot revolves around a found body mystery set in the 1970s, but we’d argue that the book is really about the town and the people who live there, from the Jewish grocery store owner to her many patrons and beyond. A story about serious things that embodies them with both weight and heart, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store was our perfect read.
https://www.narrativemuse.com/books/the-heaven-and-earth-grocery-store-2023-48986041
Caz, a young trans man from a rural Aotearoa New Zealand town, returns to his childhood home, a community where personal histories are rife with heartache. This film focuses on character — especially the excellently portrayed, moody young Caz. After spending a lifetime running from home, Caz must learn to reconnect with his family, his community, and himself. A refreshing take on queer themes without transphobia, an exploration of te ao Māori, and uplifting friendships and breathtaking romance; we loved this honest exploration of the clunky journey to acceptance.
https://www.narrativemuse.com/movies-and-tv/rurangi-2020-2560
